11 Mar 2024
Match report by Dave Hawtin
A solitary goal of real quality on the half hour was the sole difference between the two sides.
Knaphill are not second for no reason. Organised right around the park, solid at the back and with a real threat up front. That said the home side will regret three good opportunities they created in the first quarter hour but the visitors keeper did well on all three occasions.
With the lead at the break the visitors took every opportunity they could throughout the second half to stop the game and slow it down much to the frustration of the home crowd.
Bird in the home goal was mostly a spectator as the home side dominated territorially as they strived to create a really good opportunity but the busier visiting goal keeper dealt well with everything thrown at him.
As the home side pushed on and with time running out Knaphill broke away and hit the post at one end and as the time ticked away from the extensive added time that the referee correctly added a goalmouth scramble in the visitors box was stabbed toward goal by Oli Kavanagh but hit the post and slipped away for a goal kick.
Frustration all round at the first league defeat for over three months in a game that did not deserve an outright winner.
Alton are at home again this coming Saturday, when Tadley Calleva will be the visitors to The Exclusive Networks Stadium. Kick off 3pm.